Page 172 of 512

1724-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the “READY” indicator is on, and apply
the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combusti\
ble
material is nearby.
Page 173 of 512

1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is operating.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the hybrid system is operating or
immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Page 174 of 512

1744-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled brake system does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require brak-
ing.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Page 175 of 512

1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 423)
Page 183 of 512
183
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Messages indicating how to start the hybrid system and how to turn to
ACCESSORY mode will be displayed alternately on the multi-information
display.
Press the power switch.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
Page 184 of 512
1844-2. Driving procedures
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 195)
Press the power switch.
Driving-related data will be displayed on the multi-information display.
( P. 100)
Modes can be changed by pressing th e power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode c hanges each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
A message indicating how to start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the
hybrid system, the power switch
will be turned to ACCESSORY
mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
Page 185 of 512

1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, a message indicating to shift the shift lever to P will be dis-
played on the multi-information display. At this time, the power switch
will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode.
Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is
turned off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift
lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this function
cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of time
when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 7 2
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 130
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 126
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 127
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4
Page 191 of 512
1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control engine brakingforce.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 192)